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Email letters, May 11, 2012

I just wanted to concur with Kent Carson’s letter to the editor today. As a consistent financial supporter of The Daily Sentinel, I am very frustrated that this rally was completely unreported.

This newspaper is supported with advertising dollars by many businesses in this community. Bassett Furniture, as well as many other businesses that advertise in your paper, is conservative and should be represented as well as the liberal supporters.

The tea party rally was attended by two national celebrities and was well supported with attendance from the valley. Why did you report on the Occupy rally but not the tea party rally? This was an offensive omission on your watch.

Unfortunately, we have no other alternative print media to advertise our business in this valley. But please know that we noticed and will continue to evaluate where we spend our advertising dollars.

SUSAN WISEGrand Junction

Child abuse, neglect still far too costly for taxpayers

We should all celebrate the impact of innovative programming, such as the expansion of home visiting services, when it comes to the recently reported 19% national decrease in the number of substantiated child abuse and neglect victims.

However, an economic impact analysis just released by Prevent Child Abuse America estimates that, despite this improvement, child abuse and neglect will still cost taxpayers nearly $80 billion in 2012 alone.

The report, Estimated Annual Cost of Child Abuse and Neglect, is the third in a series of economic impact studies, following reports in 2001 and 2007. This report was co-authored by Dr. Richard Gelles and Dr. Staci Perlman.

In Colorado the total annual cost has been estimated at nearly $1.4 billion. The fact is, these costs and the adverse outcomes associated with not preventing child abuse and neglect are unacceptable. We still have a lot of work to do to ensure the healthy development of all children.

JAMES M. HMUROVICH, PRESIDENT & CEO Prevent Child Abuse America

KENDRA DUNN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTORPrevent Child Abuse ColoradoDenver

People in same-sex relationships run greater health risks

Advocates for social acceptance of civil unions label anyone opposed to them as bigoted, close-minded and motivated by hate.

But I have to ask, if gay relations are promoted as healthy and normal, then why are they so dangerous?

A March 2010 Center for Disease Control press release reported that active gay men were more than 44 times more likely than non-gays to contract HIV and more than 46 times more likely to get syphilis.

If these data are true, doesn’t it make sense to ask why? And if we really cared about others, instead of encouraging such risk-taking by conferring formal recognition on them, shouldn’t we be alerting them to the risks?

It seems to follow then that discouraging same-sex relations would be the obvious thing to do, and failing to do so would be a huge disservice.

I realize that publicly opposing homosexuality is likely to be interpreted as hurtful, but I’d like to suggest rather that it’s an expression of concern. I think love includes a willingness to tell someone something that may result in the loss of friendship, if the message is for the good of the other.

Society has an interest and an obligation to support, defend and encourage ideas that are healthy and life-affirming. In addition to protecting the rights of the individual, civil law should help structure society to promote what is good and discourage what is not.

To be clear, I am not suggesting that homosexual activity be criminalized.

Rather, like other activities that are unhealthy – smoking, abusing drugs and eating junk food – the answer is not to prohibit it. But there is a profound difference in tolerating something and encouraging it. Formally recognizing gay unions sends an unambiguous message to people and will only serve to encourage this unhealthful behavior.

CHARLIE DANAHERBoulder

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By Claudette Konola - Saturday, May 12, 2012

Thank you, Susan Wise, for threatening the Sentinel with the loss of advertising dollars if they do not allow WSCA to control what news is printed. That gives me one good reason to forget about doing any shopping at Bassett Furniture. I’m sure that the Virginia based manufacturer of furniture, which is the oldest furniture manufacturer in the U.S. will be surprised to learn that one store selling their product has publicly stated that no liberals need to shop there. Haven’t any of your business consultants ever told you not to mix politics and business?

By Dennis Patton - Saturday, May 12, 2012

Ms. Wise, it sounds like the same person who wrote Kent Carson’s letter also wrote yours. They are eerily alike and there was a call put out for letters to the Editor about the “rally”. I believe it even stated if you “couldn’t write one that someone would help you do it.”

Shame on you for threatening the newspaper like that. That is something Jesse Jackson would do, support me or I will destroy you. In other words, if you don’t stand with me you are against me. That kind of sounds like Mesa County Republican Party and WSCA tactics.

A real newspaper prints both sides of the issues whether they agree or not. Maybe they did not see your event as that big a deal after all it was well supported with only about 150 people.

By Dennis Patton - Saturday, May 12, 2012

Claudette,
It is surprising awkward when a Democrat
activist and a Tea Party activist find themselves in agreement.
It is also probably very effective.

Pre last election, Tipton held a meet and greet at Bassett Furniture
that was arranged by Jennifer Bailey.

Problem; how do you make the public understand that their politics are
controlled by just a few people who are motivated by greed? If the
Democrats do it, it lacks credibility in being labeled partisan
politics. If the TEA Party does it, it becomes treason in the eyes of
the very people whose eyes you are trying to open. There is a balance
that is achievable, but for us it’s right on the razor’s edge but the
effort is imperative to the TEA Party’s reform platform. What you can
do by simple association, we can only do with a smoking gun.

Have you noticed how often Jennifer Bailey’s name keeps popping up as
related to the politics of profit? We have. Gary Bailey is the current
president of WSCA. Ruth Ehlers, no matter how you spell it is the
current chair of Mesa County Republicans. Marty Chazen is a vice
chair. Kevin McCarney is 2nd Vice Chair. All have their roots in WSCA
board seats. Kevin McCarney is a current WSCA board member. If you ask
what WSCA’s goal is, the answer will be to co-opt the Republican Party
from the inside.

The illusion is the inclusion of the Conservative Tea Party within the
Republican Party. It is a created perception that is designed to keep
the grassroots Tea Party out, while appearing to be inclusive in the
public eye. The key to understanding is motivation.